By Laurel Merrick,
Editor-in-Chief.
ArtQuest Theatre is known for performing plays centering controversial topics. From the profane hit that was Dog Sees God, to the award-winning production [Redacted], this year’s advanced theatre has a lot to live up to. And with their production Liberty and Just-Ice, a commentary on our current political environment and immigration policy, they continued to show the talent and spark which AQ Theatre embodies.
The Lenaea High School Theatre Festival is a state-wide competition in which theatre programs across California travel to Folsom for Feb. 6 to 8 to show their dramatics and talents. Santa Rosa High School participates in a variety of competitions across different genres. Senior Milo Ward, junior Willow Tomiser and senior Ross Winn performed musical theatre solos, Ward receiving bronze while Tomiser earned respondent’s choice. For the duo scenes category, juniors Diana LaCalle and Lena Meline performed a scene from Weldon Rising by Phyllis Nagy, while seniors Dalia Bugica and Tony Pulido performed a scene from Aunt Jack by S.P. Monahan. The junior duo won bronze while the seniors earned silver. Junior Alice Stumbaugh and senior Milo Ferguson sent their original scripts, Voyager 1 and To The End, respectively. Ferguson earned bronze while Stumbaugh took home gold. Lastly, LaCalle and seniors Elljay Broderick, Lily Vera and Bugica performed monologues, all four winning bronze medals. Bugica additionally earned the Outstanding Performance award for her role as Mama Cricket.
The One Act Play, Liberty and Just-Ice, stars senior Alexa Bannister in a gender bent spin-off of Pinocchio, Pinocchia, as she tries to become a “real person” by getting American citizenship. Pinocchia’s father is taken by Dog officers, representing American Immigration officers. The show does a wonderful job of commenting on real-world issues like abortion, trad wives, greedy billionaires, corrupt politicians, internet trolls and America’s gun violence.
It, of course, won gold.
